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According to the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, there are gains to be made for the Scottish industry.

Commenting on the Scottish Government report released last week, SFF chief executive Bertie Armstrong said that the report underlines the importance of the UK regaining sovereignty over its own waters and becoming an independent Coastal State with the powers to control access and fishing opportunity.

‘For Scotland that could be worth an additional £540m in income and create 5000 more jobs in the sector. Any other course of action would be harmful to the fishing industry and, given its importance to coastal communities (again as highlighted in the report), that would be totally unacceptable,’ he said.

‘There are challenges ahead in securing these aims, of that there is no doubt. But in light of the potential bonanza, we would urge politicians of all parties to press both the UK and Scottish governments to work together to support the aims and objectives of the fishing industry.’

Labour shadow DEFRA minister Holly Lynch MP with Andrew Locker of Locker’s Trawlers at the lobby day in ParliamentLabour MPs Melanie Onn, Luke Polland and Holly Lynch with NFFO chief executive Barry Deas during the lobby day in Parliament. Image: Labour FishingNFFO chief executive Barry Deas Labour shadow DEFRA minister Holly LynchMPs and Peers made a point of finding out about the industry’s concerns

The NFFO has taken the industry’s position to government, holding a lobby day in Parliament, pushing for fishing to remain a priority issue for the UK government as key stages in the UK/EU withdrawal negotiations approach.

During the event, which took place in a Committee Room 10 in the Palace of Westminster, a team of ten NFFO port representatives briefed MPs and Lords on all aspects of the UK’s withdrawal, as they affect their particular region or sector.

Approximately 45 parliamentarians and researchers attended the event with representation from all political parties (excluding the SNP), with a number of prominent MPs and peers attending, including the influential DexEU minister Steve Baker.

Holly Lynch, Shadow Minister for Flooding and Coastal Communities is also influential on the Labour front bench and Neil Parish, chair of the EFRA Select Committee were key parliamentarians, as well as Lord Grantchester, the shadow front bench lead in the House of Lords for Environment and Rural Affairs.

Political representatives from Northern Ireland were particularly well represented, with both DUP and Sein Fein attending in numbers.

‘We’ve had a number of commitments from parliamentarians, with over 30 parliamentarians signing our pledge board. There were also a number of MPs who agreed to write to the Secretary of State in support of the fishing industry. Nine MPs have currently signed the EDM tabled by Ben Lake. More are expected to sign,’ the NFFO’s spokesman said.

The Federation had private meetings with Brexit Minister Steve Baker, shadow Minister for Flooding and Coastal Communities Holly Lynch, and Labour Friends of Fishing MPs Luke Pollard and Melanie Onn, as well as the Liberal Democrat lead on fishing Alistair Carmichael. Future meetings have been arranged with shadow Brexit Minister Jenny Chapman and with environment secretary Michael Gove.’

In addition to contact with influential Members of Parliament and the House of Lords, the NFFO lobby day also attracted a number of key journalists for national newspapers.

‘The lobby day has been judged a great success by all those who participated, and the Federation plans further events through the summer and autumn to remind the government that fishing is indeed a totemic issue for Brexit,’ the NFFO’s spokesman said.

Farming and fisheries leaders today join forces to urge the Scottish Government to ensure sufficient resources are available to deliver the capacity that will be needed to implement trade and export policy after the country leaves the EU.

While recognising that the UK’s exit from the European Union will present challenges, NFU Scotland and the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation are calling for ministers and civil servants to work closely with them to minimise these risks and maximise the opportunities that will unfold.

“Everybody recognises that Brexit will create difficulties, but we believe that if government and the sectors work together these can be overcome,” said NFU Scotland President Andrew McCornick.

“This is an opportunity for a bold approach to policy which will make Scottish agriculture productive, innovative and, above all, profitable.”

SFF President Ian Gatt stated: “Both the SFF and NFU Scotland are seriously concerned about how prepared the Scottish Government is for a range of Brexit scenarios and about its ability to exercise responsibilities repatriated from Brussels.

“We are seeking assurances from ministers that they will have the human and material resources to exercise the full range of devolved powers in the run up to, and after Brexit.

“As we know from many years of experience, close collaboration with the Scottish Government on farming and fisheries is essential to smooth day-to-day operations.”

Mr Gatt and Mr McCornick met at the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston today and intend to meet again in the early autumn to discuss areas of common ground in detail.

Farming and fisheries leaders in Scotland have joined forces to urge the Scottish Government to ensure sufficient resources are available to deliver the capacity that will be needed to implement trade and export policy after the country leaves the EU.

While recognising that the UK’s exit from the European Union will present challenges, NFU Scotland and the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation are calling for ministers and civil servants to work closely with them to minimise these risks and maximise the opportunities that will unfold.

‘Everybody recognises that Brexit will create difficulties, but we believe that if government and the sectors work together these can be overcome,’ said NFU Scotland President Andrew McCornick. ‘This is an opportunity for a bold approach to policy which will make Scottish agriculture productive, innovative and, above all, profitable.’

‘Both the SFF and NFU Scotland are seriously concerned about how prepared the Scottish Government is for a range of Brexit scenarios and about its ability to exercise responsibilities repatriated from Brussels,’ commented SFF President Ian Gatt.

‘We are seeking assurances from ministers that they will have the human and material resources to exercise the full range of devolved powers in the run up to, and after Brexit. As we know from many years of experience, close collaboration with the Scottish Government on farming and fisheries is essential to smooth day-to-day operations.’

Ian Gatt and Andrew McCornick met at the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston and intend to meet again in the early autumn to discuss areas of common ground in detail.